Published: September 4, 2024 | Last Updated on: September 4, 2024
| by Hema
Are you looking for a healthy and delicious soup that your kids will love? Look no further! This Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup is aromatic, flavorful, and perfect for little ones. Plus, it’s made without cream, milk, or flour, making it a great option for kids with dietary restrictions.
One of the secrets to making this soup extra delicious is to wash and blanch the broccoli before you start cooking. This step ensures that your broccoli is clean and ready to be transformed into a delightful dish. The roasted garlic adds a deep, rich flavor that takes this soup to the next level. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable packed with essential nutrients that offer numerous health benefits for kids. Here are some of the key health benefits of incorporating broccoli into your child’s diet:
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system, aids in wound healing, and helps maintain healthy skin.
Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Folate: Supports cell growth and development, which is crucial for kids’ growing bodies.
Potassium: Helps maintain proper nerve and muscle function.
High in Fiber
Digestive Health: Fiber aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation.
Weight Management: Promotes a feeling of fullness, which can help manage appetite and prevent overeating.
Antioxidant Properties
Cell Protection: Contains antioxidants like sulforaphane that protect cells from damage.
Disease Prevention: Antioxidants help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and support overall health.
Supports Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals are essential for developing strong bones and teeth.
Magnesium: Important for bone formation and maintaining bone density.
Boosts Immune System
Phytonutrients: Compounds that enhance the body’s immune response.
Vitamins A and C: Essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Promotes Healthy Skin and Eyes
Vitamin A: Supports eye health and can help prevent vision problems.
Beta-carotene: An antioxidant that helps maintain healthy skin and vision.
Supports Healthy Growth and Development
Protein: Broccoli contains a small amount of protein, which is vital for growth and development.
Iron: Essential for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Broccoli contains small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Kaempferol: A flavonoid that helps reduce inflammation in the body.
Hydration
High Water Content: Helps keep kids hydrated, especially important during active play and hot weather.
Cognitive Development
Choline: Supports brain development and cognitive function.
Incorporating broccoli into your child’s diet can be easy and delicious. Whether it’s in soups, like the Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup, steamed, or added to salads and stir-fries, broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can help ensure your child gets the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
Healthy Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup Recipe
Ingredients
1 medium-sized Broccoli
1 Big Onion
1 Bay leaf
500 ml Water
1 tsp Oil
8 big cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Croutons or Crispy bread pieces (optional, for garnish)
Method
Wash the broccoli thoroughly. Blanch the broccoli in boiling hot water for 2 minutes.
Remove the broccoli and discard the water.
In a pan, pour in 500 ml of fresh water. Add the blanched broccoli, chopped onion, and bay leaf to the pan.
Cook for 5 minutes, then switch off the flame and allow the mixture to cool down. Remove the bay leaf from the mixture.
Transfer the broccoli, onion, and water mixture to a blender. Blend until you have a fine purée.
Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan. Sauté the finely chopped garlic until it turns golden brown and becomes aromatic.
Remove some of the garlic for garnish. Pour the broccoli purée back into the pan with the roasted garlic.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and bring the soup to a boil.
Switch off the flame once it reaches a boil. Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Garnish with the reserved roasted garlic.
If desired, top with croutons or crispy bread pieces for added texture.
Tips for Making the Perfect Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup
Blanching the Broccoli: This step helps in retaining the bright green color and enhances the flavor of the broccoli.
Roasting the Garlic: Make sure the garlic is roasted until golden brown and crisp. This is the key flavor component of the soup.
Blending: Blend the soup to a smooth consistency for a more enjoyable eating experience.
This Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. The rich, roasted garlic flavor combined with the fresh taste of broccoli makes it a hit at the dinner table. Plus, it’s easy to make and packed with nutrients. Enjoy this delightful soup with your family and watch it become a favorite in your household!
Happy cooking! 🍲
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is broccoli important for my child’s diet?
Broccoli is important for your child’s diet because it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. These nutrients support various aspects of your child’s health, including immune function, bone health, and cell growth. Additionally, the high fiber content in broccoli aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight.
How can I encourage my child to eat broccoli?
To encourage your child to eat broccoli, try incorporating it into fun and tasty recipes like the Roasted Garlic Broccoli Soup. You can also add broccoli to their favorite dishes, such as pasta, stir-fries, or even pizza. Cutting broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces and serving it with a dip, like hummus or ranch, can also make it more appealing to kids.
Is broccoli safe for young children and toddlers to eat?
Yes, broccoli is safe for young children and toddlers to eat. However, it is important to prepare it in a way that is suitable for their age. For very young children, steaming or boiling broccoli until it is soft can make it easier to chew and digest. Always cut broccoli into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking hazards.
Ingredients1 medium-sized Broccoli1 big onion1 bay leaf500 ml water1 tsp oil8 big cloves of Garlic (finely chopped) Salt and Pepper (to taste)Croutons or Crispy bread pieces (optional, for garnish)
InstructionsWash the broccoli thoroughly. Blanch the broccoli in boiling hot water for 2 minutes. Remove the broccoli and discard the water. In a pan, pour in 500 ml of fresh water. Add the blanched broccoli, chopped onion, and bay leaf to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, then switch off the flame and allow the mixture to cool down. Remove the bay leaf from the mixture.Transfer the broccoli, onion, and water mixture to a blender. Blend until you have a fine purée. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan. Sauté the finely chopped garlic until it turns golden brown and becomes aromatic.Remove some of the garlic for garnish. Pour the broccoli purée back into the pan with the roasted garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and bring the soup to a boil.Switch off the flame once it reaches a boil. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with the reserved roasted garlic. If desired, top with croutons or crispy bread pieces for added texture
Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !
Shop now!